Systems and methods for facilitating play using reversed payout tables

ABSTRACT

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for facilitating play of a gaming device is presented, in which the method comprises enabling a reverse payout mode of play of the gaming device and displaying an indication that play of the gaming device is to be provided in accordance with the reverse payout mode of play. In some embodiments, the indication may include a display on an overlay device. In some embodiments, the indication may include a display on or over at least one reel (electronic, mechanical, or otherwise) of a slot machine.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/374,384, filed Apr. 19, 2002, entitled “GAMINGDEVICE METHODS AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING REVERSED PAYOUT TABLES”, thecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

The present Application is related to commonly-owned, co-pending U.S.Reissue application Ser. No. 10/222,523, filed Aug. 16, 2002, entitled“A GAMING DEVICE FOR OPERATING IN A REVERSE PAYOUT MODE AND A METHOD OFOPERATING SAME”, the entirety of which is incorporated by referenceherein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus foroperation of a gaming device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Game machines (e.g., reeled slot machines or video poker machines)generate more than $15 billion per year in revenue for casinos in theUnited States alone. This figure accounts for more than half of thegaming revenue for a typical United States casino. The situation issimilar in other countries in which game machines are popular, such asAustralia. Accordingly, casinos and other operators of game machines areinterested in promoting the use of game machines in order to maintain orincrease revenues.

When a player feels unlucky and perceives the odds of winning to be low,the player may stop playing a gaming device or, even more troubling tothe owner or operator of the gaming devices, travel to another casinowhere he perceives his odds of winning to be better. Commonly-owned,co-pending U.S. Reissue application Ser. No. 10/222,523, filed Aug. 16,2002, entitled “A GAMING DEVICE FOR OPERATING IN A REVERSE PAYOUT MODEAND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME”, provides various methods and apparatusfor allowing play of a gaming device that is operable to determinepayouts according to an alternate, or reverse, payout table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a slot machine according to one or moreembodiments the present invention.

FIG. 2 a is one exemplary representation of a normal payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments the present invention.

FIG. 2 b is one exemplary representation of a normal payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 c is one exemplary representation of a normal payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is an exemplary representation of a reverse payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 b is an exemplary representation of a reverse payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 c is an exemplary representation of a reverse payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 d is an exemplary representation of a reverse payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 a is an exemplary display of a normal payout table according toone or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 b is a plan view of an exemplary normal payout table enabled slotmachine according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 c is an exemplary display of a reverse payout table according toone or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 d is a plan view of an exemplary reverse payout table enabledslot machine according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 e is a plan view of an exemplary reverse payout table enabledslot machine according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 f is a plan view of an exemplary reverse payout table enabledslot machine according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 g is a plan view of an exemplary reverse payout table enabledslot machine according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are flow diagrams depicting an exemplary processaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall schematic view of a system according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention, including a slot machine, a slotnetwork server, and a cashier terminal.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an exemplary slot network server accordingto one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary representation of a casino player databaseaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary representation of a slot machine databaseaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram describing an exemplary process for thedepositing of funds according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is an overall flow diagram of an exemplary process according toone or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an overall flow diagram of an exemplary process according toone or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 a is an exemplary representation of a reverse payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 b is an exemplary representation of a reverse payout tableaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary representation of a normal mode payout table fora video poker game according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 a is an exemplary representation of a reverse mode payout tablefor a video poker game according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 b is an exemplary representation of a reverse mode payout tablefor a video poker game according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 16-18 depict an example of play of a video poker game in a reversepayout mode according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart representing an exemplary process of one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to gaming devices such asslot machines or video poker machines, and to various methods andsystems for playing such gaming devices.

Some types of gaming devices are capable of operating in more than onepayout mode (e.g., a normal payout mode and a reverse payout mode, aprimary mode and a bonus mode). Applicants have recognized that, in someembodiments of the present invention, players of gaming devices may findappealing the ability to select an alternate payout table based on theirfeeling about the future outcomes to be generated by a gaming device. Inaddition, Applicants have recognized that a player operating a gamingdevice may find it appealing that a gaming device is enabled to indicatewhat mode the gaming device is operating in.

Applicants have also recognized that, in some embodiments, operators ofgaming devices may find it beneficial to provide gaming devices capableof indicating which of various modes they are operating in, as theavailability of such information may make the gaming devices moreappealing to players. For example, it may be advantageous to enable agaming device to indicate to a player that the gaming device isoperating in a reverse payout mode so that, for example, the player isnot confused if an ordinarily winning outcome does not result in apayout to the player (or vice versa). Thus, operators of the subjectgaming devices may be able to retain players for a longer period oftime.

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate some embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of some embodiments of the invention. The left most digit(s)of a reference numeral typically identifies the figure in which thereference numeral first appears. Although some of the embodimentsdiscussed herein are directed to slot machines, such as slot machineswith video reels and slot machines with physical reels, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is equally applicable to othergaming devices, such as video poker machines, video blackjack machines,video roulette machines, video keno machines, multi-line machines, videolottery terminals, personal computers (e.g., running Internet gamingapplications), video bingo machines, and the like.

With reference to FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 will now be described ingreater detail. Each slot machine 100 includes a Central Processing Unit(CPU) 110, a clock 112, and an operating system 114. The CPU 110executes instructions of a program stored in Data Storage Device 124and/or Read Only Memory (ROM) 116 for playing the slot machine 100. TheRandom Access Memory (RAM) 118 temporarily stores information passed toit by the CPU 110. A Random Number Generator (RNG) 120 is also incommunication with the CPU 110.

The slot machine 100 operates in both a normal payout mode and a reversepayout mode. With respect to the normal payout mode of the slot machine100, the slot machine 100 operates in a conventional manner. The playerstarts the machine by inserting a coin into a coin acceptor 148 incommunication with the CPU 110, or using electronic credit or a cashlessgaming receipt, and activating a starting controller 122. If the playerhas deposited more than one coin in slot machine 100 or has accumulatedcredits stored in slot machine 100, then he can choose the desired wagerper play by actuating wager selector 143 (e.g., by pressing a “BET MAX”button). Under control of a program stored, for example, in a datastorage device 124 or the ROM 1116, the CPU 110 initiates the RNG 120 togenerate a random number; the CPU 110 then looks up the generated randomnumber in a stored probability table 126 and finds the correspondingoutcome. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, therandom number may be generated through any of a variety of means,including software means, electronic means, digital means, or through aphysical process, such as through the scrambling of ping pong balls in ablower device, as conducted in some lottery games. Although described asrandom herein, the number generated may be more properly understood aspseudo-random.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, each ofthe three reels 132, 134, 136 has twenty-two total symbols or “stops”located thereon. Therefore, the three reels 132, 134, 136 provide 10,648(22×22×22=10,648) possible reel combinations or outcomes. A reelcombination of “CHERRY-BELL-PLUM” therefore represents an outcome.Alternatively, a separate random number may be generated for each reelposition. These 10,648 plays are often referred to as the slot machine's“cycle.” RNC 120 produces random numbers which are mapped onto these10,648 possible outcomes, each of which has a corresponding outcomestored in probability table 126. While each of these 10,648 possibleoutcomes may have an equal probability of selection, the presentinvention may also employ non-uniform probabilities known in the art.

Based on the corresponding outcome, the CPU 110 locates the appropriatenumber of coins awarded in normal payout table 128. The CPU 110 alsodirects a reel controller 130 to spin reels 132, 134, 136 and to stopthem at a point where they display an outcome which corresponds to therandomly generated number. When the player wins, the machine stores thecredits in the RAM 118 and displays them in the video display area 138.

The possible outcomes of slot machine 100 may be divided into subsets,with each subset representing a different “class” of outcome. Many slotmachines, for example, are described as having three subsets or rangesof outcomes, such as high-end payouts, mid-level payouts, and low-endpayouts. Non-winning payouts may form a fourth subset. High-end payoutsincorporate the top payouts of the machine, such as the top threejackpots. Another way to define the subset of high-end payouts is toinclude all payouts exceeding a fixed multiplier of the amount wagered,such as all payouts which return at least ten times the number of coinswagered. Low-end payouts typically comprise payouts of only a few coins,such as the payout for a single cherry on either the first or thirdreels. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that therecould be any number of subsets defined for a given machine.

A hopper controller 140 is in communication with a hopper 142 fordispensing coins. When the player requests to cash out by pushing abutton (not shown) on the slot machine 100, the CPU 110 checks the RAM118 to see if the player has any credit and, if so, signals the hoppercontroller 140 to release an appropriate number of coins into a payouttray (not shown).

Also in communication with the CPU 110 is a slot network serverinterface 150. The slot network server interface 150 provides acommunication path from the slot machine 100 to a slot network and,subsequently, to a slot network server. Thus, outcome data can beexchanged between the slot machine 100 and a slot network server. Asdiscussed below with regard to an alternate embodiment, the slot machine100 includes a player tracking card reader device 160. The playertracking card reader device 160, which is in communication with the CPU110, includes a display area 162, a keypad 164, and a card reader 166.As discussed below, both the keypad 164 and the card reader 166 areinput devices that allow a player to communicate with the slot machine100 and by extension, the slot network server.

In alternate embodiments, the slot machine 100 does not include the reelcontroller 130 and reels 132, 134 136. Instead, a video display area 138graphically displays representations of objects contained in theselected game, such as graphical reels or playing cards. Theserepresentations are preferably animated to display the playing activityof the selected game. Thus, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention, information about an outcome (e.g., resulting reel symbols)may be displayed via a video display area 138, in addition to or in lieuof displaying the information via reels 132, 134, and 136. In anotheralternative embodiment, as will be more fully described with respect toFIG. 4F, slot machine 100 includes an overlay device 139, made oftranslucent materials, which covers reels 132, 134, and 136. Such anoverlay device 139 conveniently allows the player to see electronicmessages while viewing the physical reels underneath.

In some other alternative embodiments, the slot machine 100 includesboth physical reels and a video display device that is not laid over thereels 132, 134, and 136. For example, the video display device and thereels 132, 134, and 136 may be relatively positioned with respect to apartially reflective mirror, such that an image from the video displaydevice is projected between the viewing player and the reels 132, 134,and 136, and may appear, in some embodiments, to be imposed over thereels.

It should be noted that this invention does not require a physical slotmachine, and could instead be embodied completely in software. Such anembodiment would allow play as stand alone software running onconventional personal computers. Examples of slot machine softwareinclude SLOTS II© software by MASQUE PUBLISHING andHTTP://WWW.WAGERWORKS.COM.

As noted above, the slot machine 100 selectively operates in a reversepayout mode. The reverse payout mode is initiated when a player selectsreverse play on a payout selector 144 in communication with the CPU 110.As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, possible payoutselectors 144 include a button, a toggle switch, a virtual button on atouch screen, a software flag and the like. When reverse payout mode isselected, the slot machine 100 operates generally as described above,with the exception that the CPU 110 locates the appropriate payout in astored reverse payout table 146 rather than the normal payout table 128.The payout tables represent sets of data which correlate outcomes withpayouts. As described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b,2 c, 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, and 3 d, a majority of the outcomes in the normalpayout tables 128 a-c correspond to a losing result for the player. Inthe reverse payout tables 146 a-d, however, the majority of the outcomescorrespond to a winning result. In other words, the ratio of winningoutcomes to losing outcomes is greater than one in reverse payout tables146 a-d. Stated another way, the statistical likelihood of generatingany winning outcome is greater than the statistical likelihood ofgenerating any losing outcome. Thus, while in the short run apredominance of losing outcomes may occur, the long run expectation isthat more winning outcomes will result. In some cases, the amounts wonor lost as determined by the reverse payout tables 146 a-d are, at leastin part, inversely proportional to the amounts won or lost as determinedby the normal payout tables 128 a-c. In other words, for a majority ofgiven outcomes, the greater the win as determined by the normal payouttables 128 a-c, the greater the amount lost as determined by the reversepayout tables 146 a-d.

The normal payout tables 128 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c. FIG. 2 a depicts one logical representation ofthe normal payout table 128 a. In this representation, each of the10,648 random numbers, as represented in the “Random Number” field 230,corresponds to a set of reel positions representing an outcome, as shownin the “Reel 1” 232, “Reel 2” 234, and “Reel 3” 236 fields. Thus, by wayof example, random number “00006” corresponds to an outcome of“7-BAR-CHERRY.” Further, each random number (and thus outcome) alsocorresponds to a pay combination, as indicated in the “Pay Combination”field 238. Each pay combination may correspond to multiple randomnumbers and outcomes. For example, the outcome “7-BAR-CHERRY”corresponds to the pay combination “ANY/ANY/CHERRY” as does“BAR-BELL-CHERRY.” This payout table illustrates the correlation betweenthe generated random numbers, the outcomes (the position of each of thereels 132, 134, 136), pay combinations, and the payout information.

It is to be understood that the table of FIG. 2 a contains informationfrom both a probability table 126 and the normal payout tables 128 b and128 c, and, as such, in an alternate embodiment may replace thesetables.

The normal payout table 128 b of some embodiments of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to FIG. 2 b. As discussedbelow, the normal payout table 128 b shown is a typical 94.5% paybackpayout table. In other words, statistically, the slot machine 100 willpay out 94.5% of the money wagered, and retain for the house 5.5% of themoney wagered. In general, the normal payout table 128 b correlatesoutcomes to payout information, including the number of coins awardedand the player win/loss amount for a given play. It is to be understood,based on the following description, that the number of coins awarded andthe player win/loss amount are essentially alternate representations ofthe same information.

As shown, the normal payout table 128 b can be logically represented byfive fields of related information. The data represents payoutinformation for a one coin wagered per play model. A pay combinationfield 210 identifies possible pay combinations to which each outcome canbe correlated. These pay combinations include, for example,“ANY/ANY/CHERRY” and “BAR/BAR/BAR”, for which a positive number of coinsare awarded, as indicated in the “Number of coins Awarded” field 212.The pay combination field 210 also includes an “Other” entry for allother combinations, representing normally non-winning outcomes for whichno payment is to be made to a player. These normally non-winningoutcomes, such as “PLUM-BELL-ORANGE,” result in no coins awarded, asindicated in the Number of coins Awarded field 212.

Also shown in FIG. 2 b, the payout table 128 b includes an “ExpectedHits” field 214. The expected bits field 214 indicates the number ofoutcomes per cycle that correspond to a given pay combination. Forexample, in one cycle, outcomes corresponding to the “ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY”pay combination 210 will theoretically occur two hundred times, asindicated in the expected hits field 214. Similarly, outcomescorresponding to the “CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY” pay combination in field 210will theoretically occur sixty-eight times in every cycle. As shown,even though both of these pay combinations include two “CHERRY” symbols,the expected hits 214 differ. It is to be understood that the differencein the expected hits for “ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY” and “CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY”results from the different number of times cherry appears on each of thethree reels 132, 134, 136. Specifically, as depicted in FIG. 2 b, thesecond reel 134 has more “CHERRY” stops than the first reel 132, therebymaking the “ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY” pay combination more likely. This, ofcourse, assumes that each reel stop has an equal probability ofselection. It is to be understood that the present invention may alsoaccommodate slot machines in which each reel stop has a differentprobability of selection.

The normal payout table 128 b also includes a “Player win/loss” field216. While the number of coins awarded field 212 equals the totalpayout, if any, made to a player, the Player win/loss field 216represents the net change in the player's finds for each paycombination. A negative number indicates a loss by the player while apositive number indicates a win.

Further, the normal payout table 128 b includes an “Expected Hits×Playerwin/loss” field 218. As implied by the name, this field represents thenumber of Expected hits 214 multiplied by the amount in the Playerwin/loss field 216 for each outcome which falls within the given paycombination. Therefore, the Expected hits×Player win/loss field 218represents, for each pay combination, the statistically expected totalamount won or lost by a player in a cycle. For example, because normallynon-winning outcomes are expected 8,570 times in each cycle, and becauseon each play a player will lose one coin (the amount wagered) playerswill theoretically lose a total of 8,570 coins in every 10,648 plays forthis particular pay combination in one cycle of plays on slot machine100.

As indicated by the information in payout tables 128 a-128 c, theExpected hits 214 for all pay combinations totals 10,648. As furtherindicated by payout tables 128 a-128 c, the total amount won or lost forall pay combinations is negative 586, representing 586 coins lost by theplayer(s) and won by the house. Thus, in a one coin wagered model, in10,648 plays, 10,648 coins are wagered, with the house retaining 586coins. In other words, the house pays 10,062 coins back to players, orabout 94.5% of the 10,648 coins wagered per each cycle, hence the 94.5%payback rate.

FIG. 2 c depicts a normal payout table for some alternative embodimentsof the present invention. In such embodiments, the player is making thenecessary finds available to cover the largest potential loss for oneplay of slot machine 100. Because the player is only making thenecessary finds available, the amount stored in the Number of coinsawarded field 222 is identical to the amount stored in the Playerwin/loss field 226 for each listed pay combination. Thus, slot machine100 does not subtract the amount wagered before each play. Instead, thenet win or loss is added to or subtracted from the player's creditbalance.

It is to be understood that the normal payout tables 128 b and 128 cdepicted in FIGS. 2 b and 2 c include some information not necessary tothe operation of the present invention. Thus, in alternate embodiments,the normal payout tables 128 b and 128 c correlate only the paycombinations 210,220 to either the number of coins awarded 212,222 orthe Player win/loss 216,226. The normal payout tables 128 b and 128 cneed not include the Expected hits fields 214,224 or the Expectedhits×Player win/loss fields 218,228. These fields include informationthat merely describes, not dictates, the operation of the slot machine100.

It is also to be understood that the normal payout tables 128 b and 128c may correlate the Number of coins awarded 214,224 and the Playerwin/loss 216,226 amounts to pay combinations for plays where other thanone coin is wagered. Thus, the normal payout tables 128 b and 128 c aremerely exemplary of possible normal payout tables. In this regard, analternate embodiment utilizes multiple payout tables, each containingpayout information for a different amount wagered. It is to beunderstood that in multiple coin models, there are outcomes that mayprovide a payout to the player but result in a loss. For example, whenthree coins are wagered, a payout combination may call for a payout oftwo coins, resulting in a loss of one coin for the player. In anotherembodiment, a single payout table contains the payout information foreach of the different amounts wagered.

It is further to be understood that the normal payout tables 128 a-cneed not include a pay combinations field at all. Rather, in analternate embodiment, the normal payout tables 128 a-c directlycorrelate outcomes to payout information, such as the Number of coinsawarded or the Player win/loss amounts.

Other normal payout tables that are within the scope of the presentinvention include those having different payout amounts, different reelsymbols, and different pay combinations. In general, however, typicalnormal payout tables can be characterized in that a player wins on theoccurrence of the relatively few outcomes that are the least likely tooccur, and the amount of the win increases as the likelihood of theparticular outcome occurring decreases.

The exemplary reverse payout tables 146 a-146 d will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 e, and 3 d and continuing referenceto FIGS. 2 b and 2 c. The reverse payout tables 146 a-d are identical instructure to the normal payout tables 128 b and 128 c, as described inFIGS. 2 b and 2 c. Inherent in this structure is the number of totalpossible outcomes and the corresponding pay combinations. They aredifferent, however, in the data described in the Number of coins awardedfields 312,322,332,342 Player win/loss fields 316,326,336,346 and theExpected hits×Player win/loss fields 318,328,338,348.

In general, the reverse payout tables 146 a-146 d can be characterizedas having payouts which occur for the relatively numerous outcomes thatare the most likely to occur, while a loss occurs for the relatively fewoutcomes that are the least likely to occur. Thus, for the majority ofoutcomes, where the normal payout tables 128 b and 128 c provide for azero payout or a loss, the reverse payout tables 146 a-146 d provide fora positive payout, or a win. Likewise, a positive payout or win in thenormal payout tables 128 correspond to a loss in the reverse payouttables 146 a-146 d.

The reverse payout table 146 a is exactly the reverse of the normalpayout table 128 b in that each player win/loss result is reversed.Thus, because the normal payout table 128 b favors the casino by about5.5%, the reverse payout table 146 a, which is exactly the opposite ofthe normal payout table 128 c, favors the player by about 5.5%. In otherwords, the reverse payout table 146 a is a 105.5% payback table.

Like the normal payout tables 128 a-c, the reverse payout tables 146 a-dinclude a pay combination field 310 containing the same normally winningand normally non-winning pay combinations found in the normal payouttables 128. As used herein, the term “normally winning” means winning asdetermined by the normal payout tables 128. Similarly, “normallynon-winning” and “normally losing” means non-winning as determined bythe normal payout tables 128 b and 128 c (i.e pay combination “Other”).

As with the normal payout tables 128 a-128 c, the Player win/loss fields316,326,336,346 and the “Expected Hits×Player win/loss” fields318,328,338,348 contain the theoretical amounts won or lost per play andper cycle, respectively. However, for normally winning pay combinations,the reverse payout tables 146 a-146 d indicate a loss to the player, andfor normally losing pay combinations, the reverse payout tables 146a-146 d indicate a win for the player. In other words, the playerwin/loss amounts 316,326,336,346 of the reverse payout tables 146 a-146d may be arrived at by multiplying each Player win/loss amount 216 ofthe normal payout table 128 b by negative one (“−1”). Because theexpected hits 314,324,334,344 are identical to those of the normalpayout tables 128 b and 128 c, the “Expected Hits×Player win/loss”amounts 318 are the reverse of those in the normal payout tables 128 band 128 c. Thus, while the normal payout table 128 b results in theplayer losing 586 of the 10,648 coins wagered, the reverse payout table146 a results in the player winning 586 coins. Thus, the slot machine100 described in FIG. 3 a becomes a 105.5% payback machine.

Because in the reverse payout table 146 a depicted in FIG. 3 a thePlayer win/loss amounts 316 include losses greater than one coin, theplayer must place additional funds at risk. As shown in FIG. 3 a, forexample, the player faces a loss of ninety-nine coins if an outcome of“7-7-7” is produced. As discussed below, the funds necessary to coversuch losses may be stored credit that the player previously accumulated,a credit balance stored in memory, additional cash fed into the machinevia a bill validator or the coin acceptor, funds stored on a storedvalue card or “smart card”, in a player “comp” account, in a cashlessgaming account, or in a credit/debit card account.

FIG. 3 b depicts an alternate embodiment of the payout table 146 adescribed in FIG. 3 a. In reverse payout 146 b the slot machine 100reduces the player's credit balance by ninety-nine coins prior togenerating the outcome. Specifically, the player places ninety-ninecoins at risk. An outcome of “Orange-Orange-Orange”, for example,results in a payout of eighty coins, netting a to a loss of nineteencoins for the player.

Because the player faces large potential losses with reverse payouttables 146 a and 146 b, slot machine 100 could incorporate an insuranceprotocol in which the player deposits one coin and presses insuranceselector 145 before each spin. In the event of a jackpot, the insurancepolicy covers the amount of the loss. Multiple insurance policies arepossible, with the cost of the insurance rising with the amount ofcoverage increasing. The amount of coverage may be calculated withreference to the Expected hits×Player win/loss 318,328 in order tocapture both the frequency and magnitude of the covered payouts.

In practice, a reverse payout table that favors players, such as reversepayout tables 146 a or 146 b in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, is probablyunacceptable to the casino operator except as a restricted promotionaldevice. To ensure that the casino continues to make money, adjustmentsmay be made to the reverse payout tables so that they favor the casino.In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 c and 3 d, the reverse payouttables 146 c and 146 d are adjusted so that they provide for payoutswhich are less than the total amount of coins wagered for one cycle. Thereverse payout table 146 c shown in FIG. 3 c includes the same fields asthe reverse payout tables 146 a and 146 b of the prior embodiments, andthe same individual pay combinations. Furthermore, in the embodiment ofFIG. 3 c, reverse payout mode requires a player to wager (and thereforepotentially lose) at least five coins while paying out only six coinsfor a normally non-winning outcome/pay combination. It should be notedthat the amount of coins wagered per play could be any number of coinsas specified by the casino operator. Although reverse payout table 146 cis described using whole coins, the present invention may be practicedusing fractional coin values. Thus, for a wager of one coin, a payoutmay total only one sixth of a coin. These fractional amounts may beaccumulated in RAM 118 and paid out when a whole coin is reached.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, the number of consecutive normallynon-winning outcomes may only pay out for up to a predefined number oftimes, for example, in a given time period, a defined number ofsuccessive wins, and/or a defined number of coins output. There are manyother possible ways to control the total amount paid out to a player inorder to maintain a reasonable house advantage.

Focusing on the “Other,” or normally losing pay combination, it isapparent that such a pay combination will theoretically hit 8,570 timesin one cycle, each time causing the player to win one coin, as depictedin the Player win/loss field 336, and awarding six coins, as depicted inthe number of coins awarded field 332. Six coins are awarded because theplayer receives the five coins that were wagered plus the one coin won.

Also shown in the Player win/loss field 336, the amount lost for each ofthe normally winning pay combinations is five coins. Because the playercan only lose what is wagered and no more, namely five coins, there isno need to place additional funds at risk. Furthermore, given the fivecoin loss for each normally winning pay combination and the one coin winfor each normally losing pay combination, the reverse payout table 146 ctheoretically results in the house winning 1,820 coins of the 53,240coins wagered per cycle ({10,648 plays}×{5 coins/play}=53,240 coins). Inother words, the reverse payout table 146 c is approximately a 96.5%payback table.

The reverse payout table 146 d shown in FIG. 3 d includes the samefields as the reverse payout tables 146 a-146 c of the priorembodiments, and the same individual pay combinations. The reversepayout table 146 d of FIG. 3 d, however, represents an embodiment wherethe player makes the five coins available (i.e. slot machine 100 doesnot reduce the player's credit balance by the amount of the wager beforeeach play).

During normal payout mode, the slot machine 100 provides a normal payoutdisplay 400, as shown in FIG. 4 a, on the video display area 138. Thenormal payout display 400 includes a pay combination field 410 whichdisplays normally winning pay combinations. The normal payout display400 also displays payout information for each pay combination.Specifically, as depicted in FIG. 4 a, the payout display 400 includesthree fields of payout information, each directed to a different numberof coins wagered. The “1ST COIN” field 420 includes the number of coinsawarded when one coin is wagered, as indicated in field 212 of thenormal payout table 128 b. Similarly, the “2ND COIN” field 430 includesthe number of coins awarded when two coins are wagered, and the “3RDCOIN” field 440 includes the number of coins awarded when three coinsare wagered.

FIG. 4 b is a plan view of slot machine 100 in normal payout mode. Slotmachine 100 is configured for normal play as is illustrated by thenormal payout display 400 displayed in video display area 138.

During reverse payout mode, the slot machine 100 provides a reversepayout display 401, as shown in FIG. 4 c, on the video display area 138.The reverse payout display 401 includes a pay combination field 411which displays normally winning pay combinations and the “Other” paycombination. The reverse payout display 401 also displays payoutinformation for each pay combination. Specifically, as depicted in FIG.4 c, the payout display 401 includes three fields of payout information,each directed to a different number of coins wagered. The “5 COINS”field 421 includes the number of coins awarded when five coins arewagered, as indicated in field 332 of the reverse payout table 146 c.Similarly, the “10 COINS” field 431 includes the number of coins awardedwhen ten coins are wagered, and the “15 COINS” field 441 includes thenumber of coins awarded when fifteen coins are wagered.

FIG. 4 d is a plan view of slot machine 100 in reverse payout mode. Slotmachine 100 is configured for reverse play as is illustrated by thereverse payout display 401 displayed in video display area 138.

As discussed herein, a player operating slot machine 100 without knowingthat he was playing in reverse mode could be upset when he achieves anordinarily wining outcome that results in a loss in reverse mode.Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention provide for theslot machine 100 to include one or more informational and/or warningfeatures for indicating to a player that the gaming machine is operatingin a reverse payout mode. Of course, the slot machine 100 could alsoemploy any of the various techniques discussed herein for indicatingwhen the slot machine 100 is operating in a normal payout mode. FIGS. 4e, 4 f, and 4 g depict some exemplary techniques for indicating in whatpayout mode a gaming device is currently operating.

FIG. 4 e is a plan view of slot machine 100, and depicts an exemplaryembodiment in which the normal payout display 400, representing at leasta portion of a normal payout table, and the reverse payout display 401,representing at least a portion of a reverse payout table, are displayedsimultaneously. In order to minimize confusion as to which of thedisplayed payout tables is applicable for a given handle pull, theactive payout table may be backlit, while the inactive payout table maybe dark. In this way the current mode of the machine may be readilyapparent to the player.

In an embodiment in which the payout tables are electronically displayed(e.g., in one or more video display areas 138), the inactive payouttable could be grayed out, while the active payout table is displayed atmaximum brightness. FIG. 4 e illustrates an embodiment in which normalpayout display 400 is darkened and reverse payout display 401 is fullylit, indicating to the player that the reverse payout table is in effectfor the current handle pull.

Other exemplary ways of indicating that a displayed payout table isinactive include, without limitation, changing background colors, usinga smaller font, making the font fuzzy, shrinking the size of table,putting the international symbol for “No” (e.g., a circle with adiagonal slash) over the entire payout table (or above the table, etc.),and the like. Exemplary techniques for highlighting a payout table toindicate that the payout table is in use include, without limitation,flashing the text, making the font larger, electronically moving it,scrolling the pay information (e.g., as on a marquee), or flashing textacross the payout table, including messages to the player indicatingthat the table is currently in use.

While the two payout tables are illustrated in FIG. 4 e as separatetables, in an alternative embodiment they could be combined into asingle payout table, for example, indicating both the normal and reversepayouts for a particular outcome (or set of outcomes). In one example,payouts that are not currently eligible could be temporarily blackedout, or indicated as being inactive in accordance with one or more ofthe techniques discussed herein. Similarly, the active payouts in acombined payout table could be highlighted according to varioustechniques discussed herein.

FIGS. 4 f and 4 g depict some other exemplary indications that a gamingdevice is operating in a reverse payout mode. In FIG. 4 f, an overlaydevice 139 is shown positioned between a player and the physical reels132, 134, and 136 such that the player is able to view the threephysical reels 132, 134, and 136 through at least a portion of theoverlay device 139. The overlay device 139 preferably is a translucentor transmissive electronic display device, operative to display fixedand/or scrolling electronic messages across its surface. The overlaydevice 139 may comprise any of various different commercially availabletechnologies. For example, a display device such as the NOMAD® PERSONALDISPLAY SYSTEM® by MICROVISION INC.® could be adapted to allow an imageto be projected onto the surface of an overlay device 139 using ahigh-luminosity LCD projector. Alternatively, Liquid Crystal Displays(LCDs) may be used to create images on an overlay device 139 byselectively blocking light passing through a polarizing filter. Suchtechnology can be used to create text and/or animated graphic images. Insome embodiments, the overlay device 139 may comprise a touch screenoperable to register player input, such as the use by the player of oneor more virtual buttons on the touch screen.

Preferably, the overlay device 139 is transparent enough (or may beresponsive to signals from the slot machine 100 to become transparentenough, such as by the selective use of a polarizing filter) so that theplayer may view the physical reels 132, 134, and 136 during play. Inaddition, as depicted in FIG. 4 f, various messages, images, and/or textmay be displayed on the overlay device 139 to help the player understandwhether he is playing in normal mode or in reverse mode. Using theoverlay device 139, for example, a message can be positioned in theplayer's line of sight of the physical reels, making it difficult forthe player to miss the message. As discussed herein, displayed imagesand/or text may be moving, flashing, animated, or otherwise highlightedin some way in order to capture the player's attention. In the exemplaryembodiment depicted in FIG. 4 f, the message “Warning—Machine Payouts InReverse Mode” appears near the top of overlay device 139. Such warningsmight move up and down during play, or could flash intermittently toattract the attention of the player. Additional warning text appearsdisplayed over each of the reels 132, 134, and 136 in the form of theword “Reverse.” Other types of messages, symbols, and warnings forindicating to a player in which mode the slot machine 100 is operatingin are discussed herein and with respect to FIG. 4 g. Note that theoverlay device 139 may also be used to indicate when the slot machine100 is operating in a normal payout mode (e.g., by displaying the word“Normal” over the reels 132, 134, and 136).

In some alternative embodiments of the invention, the slot machine 100has physical reels 132, 134, and 136 in addition to a video display area138, which may duplicate the result of the reel spins electronically.Any of the various warning messages described herein could be displayedon video display area 138 in addition to or in lieu of use of theoverlay device 139. In still other embodiments, audio warnings andmessages could be communicated to the player, for example, using anaudio speaker.

FIG. 4 g illustrates various embodiments of the present invention, inwhich an indication of the mode of the machine may be presented as beingon the reels themselves. Reel set 4001 represents a set of reels for usewhen operating under reverse payout table 401. The symbols in the reelset 4001 appear as a photographic negative of the normal reels. In this“negative mode”, the symbols themselves are predominantly black and thebackground has been darkened. In reel set 4002, the text message“Reverse Mode” is electronically displayed on each symbol. As discussedherein, the text could be highlighted in some way. The text could movewith the reel symbol (e.g., as if part of the reel symbol) or staystationary (e.g., as if the reels spin under the message). Anotherembodiment, as represented in reel set 4003, illustrates the use of theinternational symbol of a circle with a diagonal line through it,representing “No” or “Not”. Such a symbol could be displayed assuperimposed over each reel or each reel symbol, to indicate the playeris playing in reverse mode.

While these designations are described above using electronic reels(e.g., displayed in video display area 138), they could of course alsobe applied to physical reels in an embodiment in which slot machine 100is permanently in reverse payout mode. In another embodiment, each reelcould have two sets of reel symbols imprinted on it—one for normal modeand one for reverse mode. While in normal mode, for example, only thesymbols of normal mode would appear. In yet other embodiments, the slotmachine 100 may have two sets of physical reels, each corresponding to aparticular mode of play.

According to some embodiments of the present invention in which the slotmachine 100 comprises physical reels, electronic video images could beadded to physical reels, for example, by wrapping thin flexibleelectronic displays around the physical slot machine reels. Accordingly,the physical reels would spin, but the images on those reels could bemanipulated as on an electronic video reel display. This would allowmore flexibility in configuring slot machines with physical reels todisplay warnings relating to reverse mode payouts. Such embodiments maybe particularly suitable for retrofitting slot machines with physicalreels using minimal time and expense.

The operation of some embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, and with continuingreference to FIGS. 1-3 d. In a typical scenario, a player plays a slotmachine 100, shown as step 502, using the normal payout table 128 b.

While playing the slot machine 100 in normal payout mode, the player mayaccumulate credits on the slot machine 100 by hitting one or morejackpots. Having hit a jackpot and accumulated credits, shown in step504, a player may decide that his or her “luck has run out” or themachine has “gone cold.” Rather than terminating play, the player mayelect to switch to a reverse payout mode in an attempt to exploit his orthe machine's perceived bad luck. Thus, in step 506, the player selectsreverse payout mode on the payout selector 144 of the slot machine 100.The CPU 110 receives a signal from the payout selector 144 in step 508and accesses the reverse payout table 146 c. Payout selector 144 couldalso select from among a set of possible reverse payout tables 146 a-d,allowing the player a choice of different payout structures. Payoutselector 144 may also be triggered automatically by slot machine 100.For example, after winning two jackpots with normal payout table 128 b,the game may automatically switch to reverse payout table 146 c, or atleast indicate to the player that the option is available. Havingaccessed the reverse payout table 146 c, the CPU 110 causes a reversepayout display 401 to be displayed on the video display area 138 in step510. Alternatively, the information of reverse payout table 146 c couldbe displayed on the belly glass of the slot machine along with thenormal payout information as is customary for slot machines.

As further described in FIG. 5 b, the player then proceeds to initiateplay of the slot machine 100 in the reverse payout mode. Specifically,in step 512, if the player has accumulated credits on the slot machine100, then the player selects the number of coins to wager. Beforecontinuing, the CPU 110 determines whether the player has enoughaccumulated credits stored to cover all potential losses, as indicatedin the Player win/loss field 336 of reverse payout table 146 c. Forexample, if the maximum possible loss is ninety-nine coins, then theplayer must deposit or make available funds equivalent to the value ofthe ninety-nine coins. In one embodiment, the player merely depositsenough coins in the coin acceptor 148. CPU 110 registers how many coinshave been wagered. In step 514, the player presses the startingcontroller 122 or pulls a handle (not shown) to initiate the randomnumber generator 120 and the spinning of reels 132, 134, 136.

As shown in step 516, the results from random number generator 120 andthe probability table 126 may initiate CPU 110 to display a normallywinning outcome, such as “CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY” on the reels 132, 134,136. If such a normally winning outcome occurs, then, in step 518, theslot machine 100 decrements the player's stored credits based on thereverse payout table 146 c. Decrementing the player's stored creditsinvolves the CPU 110 accessing the reverse payout table 146 c. CPU 110proceeds to correlate the outcome, “CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY”, to the“CHERRY/CHERRY/CHERRY” pay combination in the pay combination field 330,and to the corresponding loss of five coins in the Player win/loss field336. Thus, in step 518, the CPU 110 adjusts the stored creditsaccordingly.

Another possibility, based upon the random number generator 120 and theprobability table 126, is that a normally losing outcome, such as“PLUM-BELL-ORANGE” may appear on the reels 132, 134, 136. The occurrenceof a normally non-winning outcome is shown as step 520. If such anormally non-winning outcome occurs then in step 522, the slot machine100 increments the player's credits based on the payout information inthe reverse payout table 146 c. Specifically, the CPU 110 accesses thereverse payout table 146 c to identify the Player win/loss amount 336corresponding to the particular outcome and pay combination. The CPU 110proceeds to adjust the stored credits accordingly, in this exampleadding six coins to the player's credit balance.

Regardless of whether a normally winning or normally losing outcomeoccurs, in step 524 the player decides whether or not to continueplaying in the reverse payout mode. If the player decides to continueplaying in a reverse payout mode, then the operation continues from step512. On the other hand, a player may decide not to continue playing inthe reverse payout mode. For example, a player may perceive his or herluck is improving or that the slot machine 100 is “due to hit” or“getting hot.” Thus, in step 526, rather than leaving the machine, theplayer uses the payout selector 144 to select normal payout mode.

In an alternate embodiment, the slot machine 100 includes only thereverse payout table 146 c and not the normal payout table 128 b. Withsuch a slot machine 100, the normally winning outcomes, although notidentified in any normal payout table, are typically pre-determined andidentified to the player in the form of a display. As in the previouslydescribed embodiment, the embodiment having only a reverse payout tablewill prevent a player from stopping play or leaving the casino based onperceived bad luck. In such an embodiment, the slot machine operates asdescribed above with reference to steps 512-524 of FIG. 5 b.

An alternate embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS.6-11, and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3 d. In general, theembodiment to be described allows a player to wager on the play of aslot machine in reverse payout mode without relying solely on creditsstored at or coins deposited into the slot machine 100. Instead, theplayer uses a player tracking card that identifies a credit balancestored by a slot network server. The information stored by the servermay include a credit balance, a credit card number, a complimentarypoints awarded total, a total associated with the charge balance of ahotel room, and the like. This information is used as a source of fundsor points for a player to wager.

More specifically, such an embodiment includes multiple slot machines100 in communication with a slot network server 600 via a conventionallocal area network (slot network) 602. The slot network 602 iscontrolled by the slot network server 600. It is to be understood thatcommunication between each slot machine 100 and the slot network server600 may also occur across a wireless network or Internet connection. Acashier terminal 612 is also coupled to the slot network server 600.

As will be discussed in greater detail below, each slot machine 100communicates outcome data to the slot network server 600. As usedherein, outcome data includes all game activity-related information,which is being passed from a slot machine 100 to the slot network server600. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, such outcomedata includes the Number of coins wagered, the Player win/loss amount,and the position of the reels 132, 134, 136 on the slot machine 100.Thus, outcome data includes any given outcome and the payout informationfor that outcome. As discussed below, in an alternate embodiment, suchoutcome data also includes an indication of which payout mode, eithernormal or reverse, the slot machine 100 is operating in. It will beunderstood that the position of the reels 132, 134, 136 and the payoutinformation are essentially alternate representations of the same data.

Because each slot machine 100 has a unique machine identification (ID)number, the slot network server 600 is able to distinguish the outcomedata as being sent from a particular slot machine 100 and to store theoutcome data with reference to that particular machine 100.

To facilitate the communication between a player, the slot machine 100and the slot network server 602, a casino typically issues a playertracking card containing player identifying information. Suchidentifying information can be any information that uniquely identifiesa player to the system and, in various embodiments of the presentinvention, includes the player identification (ID) number. Theidentifying information is preferably stored on a magnetic strip on theplayer tracking card.

The player tracking card reader 166 reads the player identifyinginformation from the player tracking card and communicates theinformation to the CPU 110, which in turn communicates the identifyinginformation to the slot network server 600. Because the playeridentifying information uniquely identifies a given player, the slotnetwork server 600 is able to access information associated with thatplayer, such as a credit balance.

With reference to FIG. 7, the slot network server 600 will now bedescribed in greater detail. Like the slot machine 100 of FIG. 1, theslot network server 600 has a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 710. The CPU710, which has a clock 712 and operating system 714 associatedtherewith, executes instructions of a program stored in either Read OnlyMemory (ROM) 720 or Data Storage Device 740. During execution of theprogram instructions, the CPU 710 temporarily stores information in theRandom Access Memory (RAM) 730.

In order to communicate with the cashier terminal 606, the slot networkserver 600 also includes a communication port 750. The communicationport 750 is coupled to the CPU 710, as well as to the slot machinenetwork 602 and the cashier terminal 606. Thus, the CPU 710 can controlthe communication port 750 to receive and transmit information from eachslot machine 100, and the cashier terminal 606.

Additionally, the CPU 710 is coupled to a data storage device 740,having a transaction processor 742, a casino player database 744, asession database 746, a terminal database 748, and a slot machinedatabase 749. In general, the transaction processor 742 manages thecontents of the data storage device 740, and may comprise a dedicatedprocessor, or a portion of the function of processor 710.

In general, the exemplary casino player database 744, as shown in FIG.8, includes multiple records having multiple fields of informationrelated to player identification. Specifically, the player database 744comprises multiple records, each record being associated with aparticular player, as identified by a player identification (ID) number.The fields within each record include: name 7440, player ID number 7442,player address 7443, credit card number 7445, credit balance 7446,complimentary information 7447 (such as complimentary pointsaccumulated), and player status rating 7449. Having information relatedto one field, such as player ID number 7442, allows the slot networkserver 600 to index all information stored in the other fields of thatplayer's record.

It is to be understood that for purposes of some embodiments of thepresent invention, only the player ID number field 7442, and the creditbalance field 7446 are necessary. The remaining fields are merelyrepresentative of additional information that may be stored and used forother purposes. For example, credit card number 7445 is used for billingpurposes and address 7443 is used to mail casino promotions to playersto provide incentives to them to return to the casino.

The slot machine database 749 relates to information concerningparticular slot machines 100. As illustrated in FIG. 9, each slotmachine 100 has an associated record in the database identified by amachine ID number, as stored in the machine ID number field 7491. Theother fields in the slot machine database 749 include: player ID number7492, payout 7494, amount wagered 7497, payout mode 7498, and payouttable identifier 7499.

Having thus described the components of the slot machine 100 accordingto some embodiments of the present invention, the operation of thesystem 604 will now be described in greater detail with reference toFIG. 10, and continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2 a-c, 3 a-d, 5 a, 5 b and6-9. It is to be understood that the programs stored in ROM 720 of theslot network server 600 and ROM 116 of the slot machine 100 provide thefunction described below.

The process of adding funds to the players credit balance 7446 will nowbe described with reference to FIG. 10. Initially, in step 1010, theplayer goes to a casino cage or slot booth and presents the playertracking card to a casino employee. The casino employee proceeds, instep 1020, to read the player identifying information, namely the playerID. The casino employee then enters the player ID and the amount offunds being deposited by the player into the cashier terminal 606.Alternatively, the player provides a credit card number to which anylosses can be charged by the casino.

In step 1030 the cashier terminal 606 transmits the player ID and theamount of funds deposited to the slot network server 600. Once theserver 600 receives the player ID and the amount of finds deposited, theserver CPU 710 causes the transaction processor 742 to access the casinoplayer database 744. More specifically, the transaction processor 742searches the casino player database 744 for the record containing thereceived player ID in the player ID field 7442. Having thus located theappropriate record, in step 1040, the transaction processor 742increments the credit balance field 7446 by the amount of findsdeposited. Once the player database 744 has been updated, the playertakes the player tracking card back from the casino employee in step1050 and proceeds to the slot machine 100.

The player does not have to use cashier terminal 606 to add money tocredit balance 7446. Instead the player may provide money or accountdata directly into slot machine 100, which in turn transmits the creditdata to slot server 600. In such embodiments, the slot machine 100 couldbe equipped with either a smart card or credit card reader. The playeris making these funds available such that any losses sustained whileplaying the reverse mode on the slot machine 100 will be covered bythose funds prior to the actual loss. Initiation of play will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11 and continuing reference to FIGS. 1,7, 8 and 9.

Having thus established a credit balance 7446, the player may initiateplay of a slot machine 100. The CPU 110 transmits a signal to the slotnetwork server 100 indicating funds have been received.

As shown as step 1110, the slot machine player first inserts the playertracking card into the card reader 166. The card reader 166 thenproceeds to read the player identifying information from the trackingcard. The player identifying information, namely the player ID, iscommunicated from the slot machine 100 to the slot server 600. Uponreceiving the player identifying information, the slot server 600authenticates the information. This step, depicted as step 1112,includes the slot network server 600 searching the casino playerdatabase 744 for a record containing the received player ID in field7442. The server 600 also stores the player ID number in the field 7492of the record in the slot machine database 749. Once the slot networkserver 600 authenticates the player identifying information, the server600 may transmit a signal to the slot machine 100 acknowledging suchauthentication.

In step 1114, displayed on either display 162 or video display area 138,the player selects either normal payout mode or reverse payout mode onthe payout selector 144. This selection may be prompted by a messagefrom slot machine 100. The slot machine 100 also prompts the player toenter the amount to be wagered on the upcoming play. Specifically, asshown in step 1116, the player enters the number of coins to be wageredinto the keypad 164, or, in an alternate embodiment, a touch screen ofthe video display area 138 or use of buttons. The slot machine 100registers the amount to be wagered by the player and stores the value inthe RAM 118.

Having selected the payout mode and entered the amount to be wagered,the player presses the starting controller 122 or pulls the handle tobegin play in step 1118. As discussed above, the slot machine 100generates an outcome based upon a number randomly generated by randomnumber generator 120, the random number corresponding to a reelcombination in probability table 126. Once the slot machine 100generates an outcome, which is shown as step 1120, it determines theappropriate player win/loss amount. Specifically, in step 1122, the CPU110 accesses either the normal payout table 128 c or an appropriatereverse payout table such as 146 a or 146 d, and correlates the outcometo the player win/loss amount as stored in fields 226, 326, 346respectively, depending on the mode of play and the appropriate reversepayout table. It should be noted that instead of accessing the Playerwin/loss field, slot machine 100 could access the Number of coinsawarded field in the appropriate payout table to determine the payout tothe player.

The slot machine 100 transmits the number of coins awarded informationand player ID number to the slot network server 600 in step 1124. Havingreceived the Player win/loss amount and the player ID number, the slotnetwork server 600 proceeds to update the player's stored creditbalance.

Updating the player's credit balance, shown as step 1126, involves theCPU 710 directing the transaction processor 742 to access the casinoplayer database 744 in order to locate the record containing thereceived player ID number in field 7442. The transaction processor 742then adjusts the value stored in credit balance field 7446 by thereceived Player win/loss amount.

Once the slot network server 600 has adjusted the player's creditbalance accordingly, operation of the system 604 may repeat from step1114 until either the server 600 determines the player has insufficientfunds stored in the credit balance 7446 to play or the player decides tostop playing and removes the tracking card from the card reader 166.

If the player stops playing and desires to cash out, the player merelygoes to the casino cage or slot booth and presents his tracking card. Aswith the depositing of funds, described above, the server 600 accessesthe player's record and adjusts the credit balance field 7446. Ratherthan incrementing the credit balance 7446, however, the slot networkserver 600 decrements the stored value by the amount dispersed by thecasino employee to the player.

An alternate embodiment employing the system 604 will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 12 and continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2 a-c, 3a-d, and 7-9. In this embodiment, the slot machine 100 does not containpayout tables. Instead, the payout tables are stored in the slot networkserver 600. As noted above, the slot machine database 749 contains apayout mode 7498 which identifies what mode of play, normal or reverse,slot machine 100 is operating in. Furthermore, because the payout tablesare stored at the slot network server 600, the same payout tables may beused by multiple slot machines 100. In such an arrangement, the slotmachine database 749 would contain a payout table identifier 7499 to alocation in memory, such as the data storage device 740 or the RAM 730,where the appropriate payout table is stored. Thus, the slot machinedatabase 749 at least indirectly contains payout information.

Initially, in step 1200, the slot machine 100 transmits an indication ofthe payout mode selected by the player to the slot network server 600.The slot network server 600 stores this indication in the payout modefield 7498 of that particular slot machine's record in the slot machinedatabase 749. As with the previously described embodiments, the slotmachine 100 then generates a random number and a corresponding outcome,for example, reel positions, in step 1210. In step 1212, the slotmachine 100, having generated an outcome, transmits the outcome to theslot server 600. Along with the outcome, the slot machine 100 transmitsthe amount wagered and the machine ID number so that the slot server 600can identify from which machine the outcome originated.

Once the slot network server 600 receives the outcome and amountwagered, it updates the slot machine database 749 in step 1214. Morespecifically, the slot network server 600 accesses the slot machinedatabase 749 and updates the record pertaining to the particular slotmachine 100, as identified by its machine ID number 7491, with theamount wagered 7497.

After updating the slot machine database 749, the slot server 600,proceeds to update the credit balance field 7446 in the player's recordhaving the same player ID number in field 7442 as found in the player IDnumber field 7492 of the slot machine database 749. The credit balancefield 7446 is adjusted by the player win/loss amount from theappropriate payout table.

Specifically, the server 600 determines the payout by retrieving theaddress stored in either the payout mode field 7498 or the payout tableindicator field 7499. The CPU 710 then accesses the payout table storedat the retrieved address in RAM 730 or Data Storage Device 740 and,based upon the stored outcome 7493 and amount wagered 7497, retrievesthe corresponding payout. Accessing the payout table is shown as step1216. The CPU 710 then in step 1218 causes the transaction processor 742to adjust the credit balance field 7446 by the amount of Player win/loss7494.

Once the server 600 determines the player win/loss and adjusts theplayer's credit balance 7446, the server 600 transmits the playerwin/loss amount and the new credit balance 7446 to the slot machine 100for display to the player in step 1220.

It is to be understood that reverse payout tables other than those shownin FIGS. 3 a-3 d are within the scope of the present invention. Suchother reverse payout tables include payout schedules which are more orless favorable to the player, or schedules which result in a greaterfrequency of positive payouts in exchange for larger losses for theremaining losing outcomes and are based on different amounts of coinswagered.

Alternatively, the present invention can also substitute the use ofalgorithms for reverse payout tables 146 a-d. One such algorithm isapplied to the Player win/loss fields 216,226,236 of normal payouttables 128 a-c, and may be stored in data storage device 124 or ROM 116of slot machine 100. The algorithm takes the normal Player win/loss216,226,236 as an input and returns the corresponding reverse Playerwin/loss 316,326,336,346. The algorithm looks like the following:

1. If the normal player win/loss is a win of greater than five coins,then the reverse player win/loss is a loss of five coins.

2. If the normal player win/loss is a win of between zero and fivecoins, then the reverse player win/loss is a loss of two coins.

3. If the normal player win/loss is zero or a loss of some number ofcoins, then the reverse player win/loss is a win of one coin.

Another algorithm takes the Number of coins awarded 212,222,232 of oneof the normal payout tables 128 a-c as an input and returns the Playerwin/loss 316,326,336,346 of one of the reverse payout tables 146 a-d.

1. If the normal Number of coins awarded is greater than zero, then thereverse Player win/loss is a loss of one fewer coins.

2. If the normal Number of coins awarded is equal to zero, then thereverse Player win/loss is a win of one coin.

The above described payout results may also be produced by altering theprobability of each pay combination as depicted in any of the normalpayout tables 128 a-c. In this manner, pay combinations with high ormedium payouts have their probability of hitting lowered, while paycombinations of low end payouts have their probability increased.

Another way to shift the odds in favor of the house is to alter theprobabilities of the outcomes. Specifically, the probability table 126is adjusted so that normally winning outcomes, which result in a loss tothe player, are more likely while normally non-winning outcomes, whichresult in a payout to the player, are less likely while in reversepayout mode.

It is to be understood that the normal payout tables 128 a-c and thereverse payout tables 146 a-d may include some of the same Playerwin/loss amounts. For example, in an alternate embodiment using thereverse payout tables of FIGS. 13 a and 13 b, the payout for the leastlikely outcome (and the highest jackpot)—“7-7-7”—is positive in both thenormal payout tables 128 a-c and reverse payout tables 1300 a-b. Byretaining the highest positive win in the reverse payout tables 1300a-b, players will be further encouraged to play the slot machine 100 inreverse payout mode knowing that winning the highest jackpot is stillpossible. Further in this regard, it is within the scope of the presentinvention to make other jackpots available in the reverse payout table1300 and to make one or more jackpots available in any of the reversepayout tables described herein.

It is also to be understood that embodiments in which players makenonmonetary wagers are also within the scope of the present invention.Thus, in one embodiment, a player wagers complimentary points, as storedin the “COMP.INFO” field 7447 of the casino player database 744. Such anembodiment operates similar to the system 604 described above with theexception that the payouts relate to complimentary points, not coins,and the “COMP.INFO” field 7447, not the credit balance field 7446, isadjusted based upon the payouts. Upon a player cashing out, the casinocould convert the accumulated complimentary points into any kind ofaward, including free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows, free playson a gaming device, money, and the like.

In one or more embodiments in which the gaming device is a video pokermachine, card values typically represent the outcome display instead ofreel symbols. In a typical video poker game, the player receives fivecards and then has the option to draw five new cards. The resultingcompleted hand is paid according to a payout schedule that typicallyrewards rare hands such as a royal or straight flush with a large coinaward. Hands like a full house or flush receive medium payouts while asmall pair or no pair hand generally earns the player no payout at all.In a reverse payout table, players are rewarded for low value hands.Much like lowball poker, the player is rewarded for having the worsthands.

FIGS. 14-18 illustrate various embodiments of the present inventionrelated to play of video poker games in a reverse payout mode. FIG. 14illustrates an exemplary normal payout table 400 for use with a videopoker game. As depicted in FIG. 14, the normal payout table 400 is foruse with a full-pay Jacks or Better 6/9 video poker game. The payoutsrepresent the amount of money returned to the player for each coinwagered. For example, a player wagering a single dollar coin whoachieves a full house would be paid $9.

FIG. 15 a illustrates a reverse payout table 401 in which the player ispaid only for otherwise losing poker hands. In this example, any handthat is a pair of tens or lower (i.e. a small pair or high card only)pays $6, while all other possible final hands (e.g. flush, straight,four of a kind) pay nothing to the player. Because tens or lower is acommon result in Jacks or Better video poker, and because the player canintentionally throw away good cards in an attempt to achieve a bad hand,the player may be forced to put up five coins in order to play videopoker with this exemplary reverse payout table.

In order to determine what an appropriate payout level is for tens orlower, a Monte Carlo simulation could be run to determine theapproximate odds of achieving tens or lower. The amount of money riskedby the player may then be adjusted relative to the payout amount, untilthe final configuration of the reverse payout table 401 results in areasonable hold percentage for the casino. Alternatively, optimal playcould be calculated for all possible initial hand combinations, leadingto an exact calculation of the probability of attaining tens or lowerwith perfect play. Such an exact probability could then be used asdescribed in the Monte Carlo simulation. Note that results of such asimulation would reflect perfect play, and that actual play by casinocustomers could result in even higher hold percentages for the game.

FIG. 15 b illustrates an alternative reverse payout table 401 in whichthere are a number of distinct possible low hands that would paydifferent amounts to the player. For example, a hand of “7 High” pays$20 while a “5-4-3-2-A” pays $100 (note that in this particularembodiment, straights and flushes are ignored for the purposes ofdetermining a low hand). Any hand higher than a “9 high” would paynothing. Preferably, a player would be able to switch between thisreverse payout table 401 and a normal payout table 400 during the courseof a gaming session.

One example of play of a video poker game in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16-18. FIG.16 depicts an exemplary initial hand 1600 of video poker dealt to aplayer. The initial hand 1600 comprises the ace of clubs, four of clubs,five of clubs, eight of clubs, and ten of spades. Based on this hand,the player might contemplate holding the four of clubs and drawing onecard to the flush, but may hesitate to do so if he has been having poorluck, for example.

FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary display 1700 at the slot machine 100, inwhich the slot machine 100 prompts the player whether he wants to playthe hand in a reverse payout mode by displaying the message: “Want tobet against high?” (e.g., in the video display area 138, at the overlaydevice 139). The player may accept or reject the displayed offer in amanner known in the art (e.g., by actuating an appropriate button of theslot machine 100). To prevent the player from holding only cards thatwould help him achieve a low value hand, during play in reverse payoutmode the slot machine 100 preferably determines which cards of theinitial hand will be held. The slot machine 100 thus selects one or morecards to hold, for example, based on a determination of the drawstrategy with the highest expected value, as discussed herein. In someembodiments, the slot machine 100 may also indicate to the player whichcards, if any, will be held. In this example, the four cards to theflush are to be held (as indicated in FIG. 17 by the dashed bordersurrounding the four clubs).

FIG. 18 shows an exemplary final hand 1800 resulting from the draw,which in this example was a Two of hearts. Because the final hand 1800qualifies for a payout in accordance with the exemplary reverse payouttable 401 of FIG. 15 a, slot machine 100 preferably displays a message(e.g., in the video display area 138): “Congratulations! No pair pays 6coins!”

While in the above example the player decided to play in reverse payoutmode only after seeing his initially dealt hand, according to some otherembodiments of the present invention, the player may be prompted and/orrequest to select a payout mode before the initial hand is dealt, and/oreven after one or more draw cards are provided to the player. A playermay be given multiple opportunities to select a payout mode, and in someembodiments may elect different modes within the same round of play.

Referring to FIG. 19, a flow chart 1900 represents an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention that may be performed by a gamingdevice, including, without limitation, a video poker machine.

The video poker machine deals an initial hand to a player (step 1905).For example, the player places a wager at a Jacks or Better 6/9 videopoker machine and actuates a “DEAL” button, and in response the videopoker machine displays five cards of the initial hand in a video displayarea 138. In some alternative embodiments, the player may not place awager until after viewing the initial hand, or may place an additionalwager after viewing the initial hand (e.g., when selecting a payoutmode, as discussed herein). The video poker machine determines whetherthe player wants to play in reverse payout mode (step 1910). Forexample, the player actuates a button either before or after viewing theinitial hand. In another example, the video poker machine provides anoffer to the player to play the hand in reverse payout mode, andreceives a response from the player. For instance, the video pokermachine may provide a visual and/or audio message or prompt to theplayer, asking the player if he would like to bet that the final handwill be a “low hand”, and the player may respond by actuating a button(e.g., an “ACCEPT” button, a “NO” button). In some alternativeembodiments, the player may place a wager after deciding what payoutmode he would like to pursue, or may be required to place an additionalwager (e.g., if a first wager was made before the initial deal).

If the player wants to continue play in reverse payout mode, the gamingdevice preferably determines the highest expected value play based onthe initial hand (step 1915). For example, the video poker machine maydetermine which cards of the initial hand to hold (and/or which cards todiscard). Some techniques for determining the highest expected valueplay are discussed herein, and others may be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, the gaming device may rank possible plays or strategiesaccording to their respective expected value. In some embodiments, thegaming device will use the highest expected value play (i.e. the highestranked play in terms of expected value). In some alternativeembodiments, the gaming device may use a strategy that is associatedwith the highest expected value. For example, the gaming device mayselect the second highest expected value play, or any other play, or mayselect a play at random from a set of plays having the top five highestexpected values, or any other set of plays.

The video poker machine determines a final hand based on the highestexpected value play (step 1920) and determines a reverse mode payout forthe player based on the final hand (step 1925). For example, based onthe highest expected value play, the video poker machine may discard oneor more cards and then deal replacement cards for any cards that arediscarded, in a manner known in the art, to determine a final hand. Todetermine the reverse mode payout for the hand, the video poker machinepreferably compares the final hand to a reverse payout table (such asthose depicted in FIGS. 15 a and 15 b). The video poker machine providesthe determined payout to the player (step 1930). However, if it isdetermined that the player does not want to play in reverse mode (step1910), then play continues in normal mode (step 1935).

As discussed variously herein, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention, a gaming device, such as a slot machine or avideo poker machine, is operable to determine payouts according to analternate, or reverse, payout table. According to some embodiment of thepresent invention a gaming device randomly generates one of manypossible outcomes for each play. The gaming device includes a wagerselector indicating a wager, a memory device and a payout selector. Thememory device stores a normal set of data correlating possible outcomesto a normal set of payout information and a reverse set of datacorrelating possible outcomes to a reverse set of payout information.The reverse set of payout information describes payouts consisting ofamounts which are less than or equal to twice said wager. The payoutselector indicates which set of data, the normal or reverse set of data,the gaming device is to access.

According to various embodiments of the present invention a gamingdevice randomly generates one of many possible outcomes for each playand includes a wager selector indicating a wager, a memory device and apayout selector. The memory device stores a normal set of datacorrelating possible outcomes to a normal set of payout information anda reverse set of data correlating possible outcomes to a reverse set ofpayout information. The reverse set of data includes two subsets: afirst subset of outcomes which correspond to payout informationdescribing positive payout amounts in both the normal and reverse setsof data and a second subset of outcomes which correspond to payoutinformation describing payouts consisting of amounts which are less thanor equal to twice the wager. The payout selector indicates which set ofdata, the normal or reverse set of data, the gaming device is to access.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a gaming devicerandomly generates one of many possible outcomes for each play andincludes a wager selector indicating a wager, a memory device and apayout selector. The memory device stores a normal set of datacorrelating possible outcomes to a normal set of payout information anda reverse set of data correlating possible outcomes to a reverse set ofpayout information. The reverse set of data describes winning outcomesand losing outcomes wherein the ratio of winning outcomes to losingoutcomes is greater than one.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method foroperating a gaming device includes the steps of identifying a wager,storing a normal set of data correlating possible outcomes to a normalset of payout information, and storing a reverse set of data correlatingpossible outcomes to a reverse set of payout information. The reverseset of payout information describes payouts consisting of amounts whichare less than or equal to twice the wager. The method also includes thestep of identifying a data set selection indicating which set of data,the normal or reverse set of data, the gaming device is to access. Themethod further includes the steps of generating a random resultantoutcome and determining a resultant payout based on the wager, the dataset selection and the resultant outcome.

According to one or more alternative embodiments of the presentinvention, overlay device 139 may be used to display video entertainmentto a player. For example, during a gaming session at slot machine 100,video images from broadcast or cable television sources may be projectedonto overlay device 139. In this way, a player is able to watch hisfavorite television program while simultaneously being able to view theresolution of reels 132, 134, and 136 (e.g., viewable through theoverlay device 139). The broadcasting of sporting events, for example,might be particularly helpful to players who had made sportsbook wagerson their favorite sports teams. For instance, rather than having to lookup toward ceiling-mounted television monitors, a player could enjoy agame without interrupting his slot machine session. In some embodiments,the player could even be offered the opportunity to watch threedifferent sports games at the same time, with each game appearing overone of the reels 132, 134, and 136. Other types of information andentertainment content that may be displayed to a player will berecognized by one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the presentapplication.

In some other embodiments of the present invention, text messages may bedisplayed on overlay device 139 (e.g., scrolling across the display) toentertain or inform the player. For example, a player might be presentedwith a menu of major league baseball games currently in action. Theplayer selects one of the games, and a scrolling “ticker” of gameinformation rolls across overlay device 139 while he plays slot machine100. For example, such an information stream might be taken from theclosed captioning data stream of the broadcast signal, or could bereceived from a third party providing live game updates. Similarinformation scrolling embodiments could be used to display headline newsupdates, stock tickers, and the like. Such information could of coursealso be presented in a more static embodiment. For example, a joke ofthe day/hour, or horoscope, could be displayed. A horoscope could evenbe personalized for the player's birth date (e.g., retrieved from theplayer database 744 of the slot network server 600). In a sports-relatedembodiment, players could store current sports bets with the slotnetwork server 600. In this way, a player at slot machine 100 could beupdated with the current status of each bet as the games progressed, viaoverlay device 139.

In yet another embodiment, statistics related to a gaming session may bedisplayed to a player via overlay device 139. For example, the playercould view a graph representing his win/loss for the last trailing halfhour of play on the slot machine 100, allowing him to make betterdecisions as to whether the machine is “hot” or “cold.” Other statisticscould be displayed, such as the length of the longest win streak for thecurrent gaming session, the number of times that a particular outcomehad been achieved, the number of times that a flush draw in video pokerhad been successful, the number of times that a bonus round had beenreached in the last hour, etc. Other types of game-related informationthat may be displayed to a player will be recognized by one of ordinaryskill in the art after reading the present application.

According to some embodiments, marketing information might also beadvantageously displayed on overlay device 139. For example, a playerplaying the slot machine 100, without using a player tracking card,might trigger slot machine 100 (e.g., based on a predetermined conditionmonitored by the slot machine 100) to make an offer such as, “Sign upnow for a player card and get a lunch buffet for free”. By displayingsuch offers to the player via the overlay device 139, the offers may bepresented directly in the line of vision of the player (e.g., as he iswatching outcomes on the reels 132, 134, and 136), making it less likelythat the player will miss them.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art are also intended to be within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionis intended to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

1. A method comprising: determining an initial hand of a poker game;displaying a representation of the initial hand to a player; afterdisplaying the representation of the initial hand to the player,receiving a request by the player to continue play of the poker game inaccordance with a reverse payout mode; determining a highest expectedvalue play based on the initial hand; determining a final hand based onthe highest expected value play; and in accordance with the reversepayout mode, determining a payout amount based on the final hand. 2-17.(canceled)